As I was reading Balaam’s story, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees and scribes:
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (Matthew 15:8)
At times, Balaam sounded very pious.
“I can’t possibly go against God’s command, small or great.” (Numbers 22:18)
Bu though he honored God with his lips, his heart was apparently far from God.
Because of his greed, it seems he was trying to find some way circumvent God’s command to him. (2 Peter 2:15-16)
But God saw his heart and made sure Balaam knew that he was not fooled. Only then did Balaam refrain from cursing the Israelites.
But even then, Balaam later found a way to bring trouble on the Israelites. (Numbers 25:1-5, 31:16)
It’s easy on Sunday to sing songs saying, “Yes, Lord. Yes, Lord. Yes, yes, Lord. Amen!”
But is it just words?
Or is it our heart?
A heart that is fully given to God, not just on Sunday, but all week, moment to moment, day to day?
Do we wholeheartedly follow him? Or do we try to find ways to get around his commands?
Father, I don’t want to be like Balaam. May my heart be completely yours.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 